A History of Japanese Theology [Paperback]

Mr. Yasuo Furuya (Editor, Translator)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 20, 2001

This is the first book on the history of Japanese theology written by Japanese theologians. Editor Yasuo Furuya and four other eminent Japanese theologians - Akio Dohi, Toshio Sato, Seiichi Yagi, and Masaya Odagaki - clarify the tumultuous history of Japanese Christianity and describe the context, methodology, and goals shaping Japanese theology today.

Editorial Reviews

Language Notes

Text: English (translation)
Original Language: Japanese

Product Details

• Paperback: 168 pages
• Publisher: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.; First Edition edition (March 20, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0802841082
• ISBN-13: 978-0802841087
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.1 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,970,120 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Three Generations of Japanese Theology, December 28, 2002

By 

matt (the reading room) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A History of Japanese Theology (Paperback)

After reading Silence by Shusaku Endo, I became more interested in Japanese Christianity. This slim volume is, as the jacket says, the first history of Japanese theology written by Japanese theologians. It is long overdue. As Carl Michelson wrote in the 1960s (Japanese Contributions to Christian Theology), "Protestant Christianity is only one hundred years old in Japan. That means the Japanese church is one of the younger churches in Christendom. Yet, of all the younger churches, it is apprently the first to have developed a significant theology."

Furuya's book explores three generations of theologians in Japan, outlining the various challenges to the faith and the creative responses from several key thinkers. Dohi, Sato, Yagi, and Masaya are the central theologians covered, while others also appear.

Both Catholic and Protestant theologians are covered. Not much is made of the Eastern Orthodox (who have also been in Japan via Russia for some time).

This is an overall good book, well written and organized. And if you are interested in Japan and Christianity, do read Endo's works. He is one of the greatest writers of Japan and happens to be a convert to Christianity. His works explore themes of Christ, suffering, conversion, and the Japanese heart. Enjoy!